I've heard that steroid injections can lower your immune system which could in turn affect the lyme testing.
I've been combing the internet trying to find anything related to that.
Maybe the steroid injections I had in my spine not too long before I had my igenex testing could have affected the test?
Caused some of the results to be IND instead of full blown POSITIVE?
If anyone has any information on this. I need something I can refer to and print for my internal med doc to try to convince her to give me a trial of antibiotics.
I'm on a time limit here, because I'd need to be on antibiotics a month and off 10-14 days to retest. And my insurance will run out 11/28.
I'd like to get her the information tomorrow and have her review it prior to my next appointment on Monday. Any help GREATLY appreciated!
Tamera
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Maybe the steroid injections I had in my spine not too long before I had my igenex testing could have affected the test?
Caused some of the results to be IND instead of full blown POSITIVE? ========================
Absolutely!! Proof??? I'll have to search for that.
Here is something that may help:
Dr. Bransfield's Reason's for Seronegativity the reasons why you can test negative and still have Lyme disease.
1. Recent infection before immune response 2. Antibodies are in immune complexes 3. Spirochete encapsulated by host tissue (i.e.: lymphocytic cell walls) 4. Spirochete is deep in host tissue (i.e.: fibroblasts, neurons, etc.) 5. Blebs in body fluid, no whole organisms needed for PCR 6. No spirochetes in body fluid on day of test 7. Genetic heterogeneity (300 strains, 100 in U.S.) 8. Antigenic variability 9. Surface antigens change with temperature 10. Utilization of host protease instead of microbial protease 11. Spirochete in dormancy phase (L-form) with no cell walls 12. Recent antibiotic treatment 13. Recent anti-inflammatory treatment 14. Concomitant infection with babesia may cause immunosuppression 15. Other causes of immunosuppression 16. Lab with poor technical capability for Lyme disease 17. Lab tests not standardized for late stage disease 18. Lab tests labeled "for investigational use only" 19. CDC criteria is epidemiological not a diagnostic criteria 20. Lack of standardized control 21. Most controls use only a few strains as reference point 22. Few organisms are sometimes present 23. Encapsulated by glycoprotein "S-layer" which impairs immune recognition 24. "S"- layer binds to IgM 25. Immune deficiency 26. Possible down regulation of immune system by cytokines 27. Revised W.B. criteria fails to include most significant antigens
ANY doctor SHOULD be able to figure out that immune suppression by steroids would change the result of ANY antibody test. Common sense says that.
Posted by Tamera (Member # 13309) on :
13. Recent anti-inflammatory treatment
Hmmmmm....multiple epidural steriod injections to my spine and the fact that I take TONS of ibuprofen a day (instead of narcotics) to combat pain!! I guess that falls under "recent anti-inflamatory treatment??????" UGH!!!!
Well, I wrote her a two page letter (not even double spaced...haha) she doesn't have the problem reading that we do!
And a bunch of literature...will include anything else I can find tonight and tomorrow morning. I have a physical therapy appointment for my foot surgery at 10:30.
I'll drop off the information and letter to the internal med doc then. Wish me luck! Thanks for the help.